Preface

Renewable energy has been considered one of the most relevant tools to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and avoid other environmental issues. In this context, the constant pursuit to achieve sustainability has led farmers and scientists to go one step further through agricul‐ ture, using bioenergy crops. When it comes to production of these types of specialized spe‐ cies, sugarcane (*Saccharum officinarum L.*) is considered a successful and efficient model, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Moreover, its industry represents one of the most important economic activities worldwide, providing about 80% of the sugar consumed in the planet and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide by hundreds of million tons in the last few years.

Sugarcane is grown commercially in the tropics and subtropics, and is known to be one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Nonetheless, facing the increasing population, and conse‐ quently, higher demand for sugar and biofuels, the demand for sugarcane and its by-products is set to increase in the next years. Thus, sugarcane research to improve sustainable production worldwide is the vital task of scientific community to address the increasing demands and needs for their products. In the last few decades, the results of wide-scale research have been applied, field mechanization has been improved, technical and agricultural methods have been developed, research and training extended and new methods established worldwide.

This book intends, therefore, to cover some of the most important agricultural results of this progress, describing and discussing challenges that came up with the advent of next genera‐ tion technologies. Hence, this volume presents a collection of 14 chapters involving theoreti‐ cal and practical research work carried out by experienced researchers working with this crop. Many authors are recognized as leading experts in their field and provide unique per‐ spectives as a result of their many years of experience.

The literature presented here is a comprehensive overview of current concepts related to the production of sugarcane and its industrial applications. In this context, the chapters have been classified into five sections highlighting fundamental insights associated with this crop's current research and technology. The sections consist of the following topics: "Sus‐ tainability and Economics", "Bionergy and Carbon Sequestration", "Propagation and Bio‐ technology", "Fertilization and Harvest", and "Industrial Applications".

This is a definitely a valuable reference book on sugarcane production, agronomy, and enduse qualities, particularly for those who work in research organizations and higher academ‐ ic institutions. It will be of great interest, especially, to graduates, postgraduates and researchers who work with agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry and related subjects. Moreover, it provides a reasonable resource for readers interested in a quick review of trending topics about this crop.

As the editor of this book, I am grateful to all the authors who have written their chapters meticulously and contributed their valuable work. I also would like to thank to the editorial staff of the publisher IntechOpen, and their team, for all the kind support provided through‐ out the whole editorship process, enabling to produce this book on time and in a great man‐ ner. I express my special thanks to my mother Francisca, my wife Maria, and my kids Matheus and Giovana, for inspiring me and being my pillars of strength. Last but not the least, my deepest gratitude is for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who takes care of me and gives me health to make my dreams come true. "I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." Ps. 9:1

#### **Alexandre Bosco de Oliveira**

**Section 1**

**Sustainability and Economics**

Professor of Agriculture Plant Science Department Federal University of Ceará, Brazil
